The Initial Design of a Building Plays a Major Role in How "Green" It Will Be

Integrated Building Design & Green Building by Wiley|Wilson

A new building is complex from concept to occupancy. Nothing can have more impact on project success in a green building than the owner, architects, engineers, and builders working together from the onset to establish goals and design/construction strategies.

This integrated team approach allows each to leverage their expertise to create a greater whole. Integrated design can include location, building envelope, general architecture, internal systems, healthy building strategies, and building commissioning. Contractor participation can improve construction efficiency, minimize material waste, and reduce site impacts. Without integrated design, an owner may waste money on an extremely tight and highly insulated shell only to poison the interior environment with toxic finishes or poor HVAC systems.

Enormous amounts of energy and material are wasted during construction and over the life of a building by using conventional approaches. The greatest benefit of integrated design to an owner can be reduced costs throughout the lifecycle of the building — another green advantage. An integrated team approach to the design, incorporating the owner’s goals, the contractor’s expertise, and the knowledge of each discipline of the design team, is the best way to build or renovate a truly green building.